John Mellencamp’s plate seems to be full and I love it! Details provided on his website lay stake that our ipods, CD players, laptops or whatever device used to listen to music will be humming with John at the wheel.

THE BOX SET has tentatively been given a working title “On The Rural Route 7609,” a take on John’s career spanning over 30 years with the release of his first record “Chestnut Street Incident” in 1976 through the current year and imminent release of the box set. Anticipate 4 discs, over 72 songs and I would bet some exceptional artwork to coincide with the release. John has said in interviews in the past he sometimes would purchase records just for the artwork. I hope some interesting anecdotes are added in the way of liner notes as well. I personally love reading the liner notes, which give insight to the artist, a little more of a personal take. John is currently working with Steve Berkowitz, record company executive and producer on bringing the artwork and the audio tracks to fruition.

The Live Set, an eight track collection of live recordings from John’s most recent record, is scheduled for release on June 23. Look for “Life, Death, Live, Freedom” to include “If I Die Sudden,” “A Ride Back Home,” “Troubled Land,” “My Sweet Love” and “Don’t Need This Body.” The live tracks, several of them rocking versions compared to the stark contrast of the recorded versions, offer the fan and music collector a totally different listening experience. This will be John’s FIRST official release of live recorded music. There have been several guttural performances of songs I’ve seen John perform in the past, and “If I Die Sudden” rates as one of my most favorites. Throw in “Don’t Need This Body” as well as “Troubled Land” and I’m a happy mellencamper.

The Broadway Musical “Ghost Brothers Of Darkland County,” a project John and Stephen King have worked on and off for at least nine years, allows an early preview with the planned release of a CD / book package. Dialog of the musical, along with recordings of the songs, are being cast with the promise of several major artists signed on to bring the music to life.

The Tour, with Willie Nelson and John as co- headliners on this summer’s Bob Dylan tour, is one I’m anticipating. Road trips are always exciting, and this year has me traveling to St. Louis, Cleveland, Dayton, and Sevierville.

John has been in the music business since 1976. He is still performing, still writing, still making his voice heard, and this year brings much anticipated words and music from an artist still rolling the rock up the hill.